Patent Application
20220370279
The present invention relates generally to the field of joint cracking. More specifically, the present invention relates to a joint cracking device. The device is primarily comprised of a body further comprised of at least one vertical support, at least one cushion, at least one hinge, at least one semi-circular member, and a base. To use the device, a user steps onto the base and positions their body within the semi-circular member. The user then presses a button to inflate an inflatable cuff on the interior surface of the member such that the user is secured within the member. Then, the member is rotated upwards such that the back of the user is cracked on the cushion, which is preferably convex in shape. Then, the member is returned to its original position, wherein the user can then crouch downwards to exit the member. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
Many individuals suffer from tense neck and back muscles as well as neck and back pain. Said individuals may find relief from said pain by cracking their back, which stretches capsules on the outer edges of the vertebrae in order to allow synovial fluid to flow inside the capsules and release pressure in the spinal cord and in the surrounding muscles. However, cracking a back typically involves a second individual who lifts a first individual off the ground in order to crack their back. This cannot then be accomplished with no second individual available, and as a result the first individual cannot gain relief from having their back cracked without said second individual.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that allows a user to crack the joints and muscles in their back and neck area. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a joint cracking device that allows a user to crack the joints and muscles in their back and neck area, but does not require a second user to operate the device. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a joint cracking device that allows a user to crack the joints and muscles in their back and neck area but does not require a second user to operate the device, and wherein the device does not require substantial physical strength or flexibility to use.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a joint cracking device. The device is primarily comprised of a body further comprised of at least one vertical support, at least one cushion, at least one hinge, at least one semi-circular member, and a base. To use the device, a user steps onto the base and positions their body within the semi- circular member. The user then presses a button to inflate an inflatable cuff on the interior surface of the member such that the user is secured within the member. Then, the member is rotated upwards such that the back of the user is cracked on the cushion, which is preferably convex in shape. Then, the member is returned to its original position, wherein the user can then crouch downwards to exit the member.
In this manner, the joint cracking device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides a joint cracking device that allows a user to crack the joints and muscles in their back and neck area without requiring a second user to operate the device. Further, the joint cracking device does not require substantial physical strength or flexibility to use. In this manner, the joint cracking device overcomes the limitations of existing methods of cracking joints and muscles known in the art.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a joint cracking device. The device is primarily comprised of a body further comprised of at least one vertical support, at least one cushion, at least one hinge, at least one semi-circular member, and a base. The body is preferably manufactured from a durable metal such as, but not limited to stainless-steel or aluminum. The base is preferably rectangular and has a flat top surface and a generally parallel bottom surface, as well as two pairs of generally parallel side surfaces. The vertical support further fixedly or removably attaches to the top surface and/or side surface of the base and is further comprised of at least one horizontal member and at least one horizontal member. The front surface of the vertical support is further comprised of at least one cushioned pad made from a rigid or semi-rigid foam material that is preferably convex in shape.
The vertical support is also comprised of at least one semi-circular member that preferably attaches to the front surface of the vertical support via at least one (but preferably two) hinge(s). The hinge is preferably a motorized hinge that is powered by an electric motor that may be stored within the base and/or the semi-circular member. The motor is further powered by a battery. The interior surface of the member is further comprised of a rubber, inflatable cuff. When a user is standing on the base such that the user's torso within the semi-circular member, the cuff can be inflated via a pump by pressing at least one button that may be located on the outer surface and/or top surface of the member. As a result, the cuff can press against the torso and/or arms of the user such that the user is secured within the member. The button may also allow a user to increase or decrease the inflation level of the cuff for comfort.
To use the device, a user first steps onto the top surface of the base and then through the semi-circular member by crouching below the member and then entering from the bottom of the member such that their back is on the pad. It should be noted that in the default position, the member is positioned parallel with the top surface of the base. However, in one embodiment a user may simply press the button to rotate the member upwards until a user can comfortably stand under the member. Then, the button can be pressed to cause the member to rotate downwards such that the member is around the user and covers the torso of the user. Next, the user can place their arms diagonally across their torso or on the sides/back of their neck. However, before doing so the user preferably presses the button to begin inflating the inflatable cuff around their arms and/or torso. Once the cuff fully inflates, the hinge is then automatically activated by the motor such that the semi-circular member rotates upwards away from the base. As a result, the user is also picked up by the member and suspended above the base. The hinge continues moving upward until it reaches a stopping point, wherein the suspension of the user and the convex shape of the pad cracks the back of the user. Once at the stopping point, the hinge may keep the semi-circular member at said position for a brief period of time before rotating the member downward back to the neutral position (i.e., wherein the member is parallel with the top surface). At this point, the user's feet are returned to the top surface and the cuff deflates, thus allowing the user to crouch downwards and out from the semi-circular member.
Accordingly, the joint cracking device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that allows a user to crack the joints and muscles in their back and neck area without requiring a second user to operate the device. Further, the joint cracking device does not require substantial physical strength or flexibility to use. In this manner, the joint cracking device overcomes the limitations of existing methods of cracking joints and muscles known in the art.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that allows a user to crack the joints and muscles in their back and neck area. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a joint cracking device that allows a user to crack the joints and muscles in their back and neck area but does not require a second user to operate the device. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a joint cracking device that allows a user to crack the joints and muscles in their back and neck area but does not require a second user to operate the device, and wherein the device does not require substantial physical strength or flexibility to use.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a joint cracking device. The device is primarily comprised of a body further comprised of at least one vertical support, at least one cushion, at least one hinge, at least one semi-circular member, and a base. To use the device, a user steps onto the base and positions their body within the semi-circular member. The user then presses a button to inflate an inflatable cuff on the interior surface of the member such that the user is secured within the member. Then, the member is rotated upwards such that the back of the user is cracked on the cushion, which is preferably convex in shape. Then, the member is returned to its original position (parallel with the top surface of the base), wherein the user can then crouch downwards to exit the member.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The base 150 is preferably rectangular, but in differing embodiments may be any shape known in the art such as, but not limited to: square, oval, circular, triangular, octagonal, etc. The base 150 is further comprised of a flat top surface 152 and a generally parallel bottom surface 158, as well as two pairs of generally parallel side surfaces 156. In one embodiment, the top surface 152 may have a non-slip, texture. The vertical support 120 further fixedly or removably attaches to the top surface 152 and/or side surface 156 of the base 150. The vertical support 120 is further comprised of at least one horizontal member 122 and at least one horizontal member 124. However, in the preferred embodiment of the device 100 the vertical support has 3 vertical members 122 and 2 horizontal members 124.
The vertical support 120 is also comprised of at least one rotating semi-circular member 140. However, in differing embodiments the rotating member 140 may be any shape known in the art. The member 140 preferably attaches to the front surface 126 of the vertical support 120 via at least one (but preferably two) hinge(s) 130. The hinge 130 is preferably a motorized hinge 130. However, in differing embodiments the hinge 130 may be any hinge-type known in the art such as, but not limited to: an offset blind hinge, a knuckle hinge, a butt hinge, a rising butt hinge, a gravity pivot hinge, a ball bearing hinge, a barrel hinge, a concealed hinge, a knife hinge, a piano hinge, a strap hinge, a pivot hinge, a gas-piston hinge, an injection molded hinge, a locking hinge, etc. The hinge 130 is further powered by an electric motor 160 that may be stored within the base 150 and/or the semi-circular member 140.
The motor 160 is further powered by a battery 170. The battery 170 may be a disposable battery 170 or a rechargeable battery 170 in the form of an alkaline, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride battery 170, etc. such as any 3V-12volts DC battery 170 or other conventional battery 170 such as A, AA, AAA, etc. that supply power to the device 100. Throughout this specification the terms “battery” and “batteries” may be used interchangeably to refer to one or more wet or dry cells or batteries 170 of cells in which chemical energy is converted into electricity and used as a source of DC power. References to recharging or replacing batteries 170 may refer to recharging or replacing individual cells, individual batteries 170 of cells, or a package of multiple battery cells as is appropriate for any given battery 170 technology that may be used. Additionally, the battery 170 may be recharged or powered by a power cord 202 that can be plugged into a 110V/240V wall outlet.
However, it should be noted that in one embodiment the hinge 130 is attached to at least one movable track 123 located on at least one vertical member 122 of the vertical support 120. The at least one button 148 then allows a user 10 to raise and lower the position of the semi- circular member 140 on the vertical members 122 using the track 123. As a result, this eliminates the need for a user 10 to crouch down and enter the semi-circular member 140 from below the member 140. Instead, a user 10 can stand on the base 150 and simply raise the member 140 to a height that is above their head using the rack 123. The user 10 can then lower the member 140 around their torso 14 and the device 100 can then be used as described above. Accordingly, this embodiment is advantageous for users 10 who may lack the physical ability to crouch down to enter the member 140 from below.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “joint cracking device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the joint cracking device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the joint cracking device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above- stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the joint cracking device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the joint cracking device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the joint cracking device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the joint cracking device 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/189,885, which was filed on May 18, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63189885 | May 2021 | US |
